The foodie’s guide to Byron Bay

Byron Bay. Does anywhere in the world revel in all the attention—be it good, bad, ugly, or all three at once—sent its way quite like this coastal town in Northern NSW? Indeed, for every person who heralds the town as a genuine return to simple, authentic living, another will voice genuine suspicions that Byron is, in fact, a figment of Instagram’s imagination.

Regardless of where you plant your flag on the scale of opinion, though, you can’t deny all that undiluted attention has resulted in Byron—and the surrounding area—cultivating a diverse and exciting culinary scene. And with the choice of accommodation in Byron Bay just as vibrant, it’s no surprise it has become a beloved place to visit for those with a precise palette. If you find you’re still sitting on the fence, here is a foodie’s guide to Byron Bay.   

Breakfast. 

Moonshine Coffee. 

If you’re the type of coffee-lover who will happily travel in order to kneel before the altar of your favourite barista, then this shed in Federal—a half hour’s drive inland from Bryon—is a place you must visit at least once for Confession. With barely anything on the menu and barely anywhere to sit, Moonshine will hold a certain appeal to coffee lovers who enjoy sought-after holes-in-the-wall in cities like Melbourne. When you taste the coffee, though, you’ll understand why the owners focus on little else. And don’t be surprised if the first word you utter after that first sip is divine.   

Bayleaf Cafe.

If you’d rather walk to your morning coffee than drive, Bayleaf Cafe—a short walk from Byron’s main beach—deserves your attention. With healthy, all-day breakfast choices, you can wander in at any time and recharge, no matter how many cocktails you had before dawn or waves you caught after dawn. And if the sun is out and the mood strikes for a drink, the cafe has a delicious range of beers from the locals at Wandana Brewery. 

Lunch.

Three Blue Ducks At The Farm.

Though its origins are in the beachfront suburb of Bronte, in Sydney’s east, this restaurant—part of the 32-hectare property, The Farm—is pure Byron Bay. At least, in the modern sense. Opened by six mates who farm, fish, surf, and cook together, Three Blue Ducks really encapsulates the return to sustainable living that has become synonymous with the Byron hinterland. Serving food that has travelled—literally—from the paddock to the plate, the sense of wellbeing you’ll get from this restaurant is hard to deny. 

Miss Margarita.

Some places in Byron Bay are ethical and sustainable, some are exclusive and luxurious. Some, though, are just downright fun. Miss Margarita, in the heart of Byron, is definitely the latter. Serving their own style of Mexican, along with the cocktails that give this restaurant its name, few places will call your name quite so sweetly after a long day at the beach. Whether it’s the climate, the way of life, or both, Mexican cuisine just seems to suit this part of the world. And at Miss Margarita, you’ll have no trouble adjusting to a menu that is both chilled and celebratory. 

Dinner. 

Moonlight.

Mexican isn’t the only international cuisine enjoying the expat life in Byron Bay. Japanese—with its affinity for fresh flavours, surprising textures, and show stopping cooking methods—is also at home here. And nowhere is it more at home than at Moonlight, a cosy restaurant nestled—in class japanese fashion—off the main strip. Whether it’s the modern take on the hibachi grill—one of Japan’s oldest cooking traditions, cocktails garnished with ingredients foraged from the surrounding hinterland, or centuries old sake, Moonlight will delight even the most hard to impress foodie. 

Fleet. 

Like Moonshine Coffee, Fleet—in the sleepy town of Brunswick Heads—isn’t in Byron. But don’t let a 15 minute drive north put you off experiencing one of the best-loved young restaurants in Australia. A 14 seat restaurant ‘masquerading as a bar’ as the owners charmingly put it, Fleet strikes a subtle yet potent balance between shared dining, charismatic hosting, and cocktails that will etch themselves in your psyche. 

The trick is securing a seat. But, if you’re prepared to do whatever it takes, and we’ll let you interpret that for yourself, you’ll be guaranteed a bona fide foodie experience. Believe the hype.    

The beauty of visiting Byron Bay—and the surrounding areas—is that there’s so much on offer in terms of exceptional and exciting food choices, despite the lack of urban sprawl.  

From rustic cafes whose floors are forever home to sandy footprints to farms disguised as Michelin-star restaurants, Byron has enough to please even the most precise palette. And with cheap, direct flights from most capital cities in Australia, and a mild yet effortlessly agreeable climate, don’t be surprised if Byron Bay reserves a permanent seat in your yearly holiday plans.

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